U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) introduced the Fertilizer Transparency Act of 2026 on Mar. 19, a bipartisan bill aimed at providing American agricultural producers with more accurate and timely information about fertilizer prices. The legislation would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to collect and publish weekly data on fertilizer prices from manufacturers, replacing the current system that relies on an annual voluntary survey.
The issue is significant for farmers who have faced rising input costs in recent years, particularly for fertilizer, which has strained their budgets and created uncertainty when planning crop production. Thune said, “South Dakota’s producers have been facing some pretty fierce economic headwinds over the past few years. Higher prices for fertilizer – and the uncertainty surrounding costs – have only strained their budgets even further. This legislation would empower producers with better information about fertilizer pricing so they can make cost-effective choices when it comes to purchasing key inputs for their crops.”
Trent Kubik, president of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association, welcomed the proposal, saying, “We greatly appreciate Senator Thune’s introduction of the Fertilizer Transparency Act of 2026. Since 2022, corn farmers have paid record-setting prices for fertilizer. This bill will help to improve market signals by providing public access to meaningful pricing data and giving farmers a tool to help us plan for these costs. Ultimately, this legislation will make the market for key farm inputs more transparent and is a step toward making the market more competitive.”
Thune’s legislative efforts are supported by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), who are cosponsoring the bill.
Thune has a long history in public service and leadership roles in Congress; he grew up in Murdo, South Dakota where an encounter with a congressman sparked his interest in politics according to his official website. He holds degrees from Biola University and the University of South Dakota according to his official website, and has served on Senate committees including Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Commerce, Science and Transportation; and Finance according to his official website. Thune has also held leadership positions such as Senate majority leader as well as Republican whip and conference chairman according to his official website.
He lives in Sioux Falls with his wife Kimberley; they have two daughters and six grandchildren according to his official website.
